UPDATE (9:45pm): New York Daily News photographer Todd Maisel apologized Thursday night for a tweet earlier that day alleging that the New York Times was engaging in checkbook journalism in Colombia as it reports on the sex scandal involving the U.S. Secret Service. Maisel has since deleted the original tweet, although several others with less specific allegations, remain in his timeline.

The original tweet read: "NY Times still has key players locked up. Money talks."

In an email to POLITICO, Maisel explained his regret succintly: "I was wrong and sorry."

POLITICO reported on the tweet and subsequent denial from the New York Times throughout Friday as did the Huffington Post. The Drudge Report picked up the story and, as the day wore on, Maisel began to back off his original statement.

He put out another tweet clarifying that "my opinions are my opinions alone and not that of the Daily News" and deleted the original tweet (a tweet claiming that "cartagena hooker attorney working with my times to hide her" remains in his timeline).

The Times -- both through spokesperson Eileen Murphy andseveralreporters -- were vocal in their rejection of both Maisel's claims and in anyone who would report on them.

Maisel's misguided tweet may likely have been a reaction to the fact that the Times' has, in large part, been owning the story down in Caragena. They not only broke the story of the Colombian escort at the center of the scandal but also scored the first -- and only -- interview with her.

Maisel's Twitter timeline reveals a propensity to engage in some media critiques of his New York colleagues. Some examples:

"hearing reporters offering $ for stories & even to take photos. Veracity? Ethics? Are there any in Cartagena on Secret Service story? #nppa"

"Should journalists offer money for stories? open that can of worms - some r doing it."

"I hear Post has sent someone to report fiction. All the news that's fit to invent - see you on beach."

"See tomorrow nydailynews.com for all the updates on this salacious story. We are here, the Post isnt #nydailynews"

****POLITICO's original post, with updates, is below****

In a tweet this morning, New York Daily News photographer Todd Maisel suggested that the New York Times was paying sources on the ground in Cartagena for their silence.

We've reached out to the Times reporters on the story in addition to a New York Times representative. We've reached out to Maisel, too, for further details.

UPDATE (11:00am EST): Times spokesperson Eileen Murphy emails: "The accusation made by this Daily News photographer is offensive and utterly false. The New York Times paid nothing for interviews on this story."

UPDATE: (8:31pm) It appears that the Daily News photographer has deleted his original tweet. We've reached out for an explanation. Maisel's trip to Cartagena has given him plenty of opportunities to do some media analysis of his New York competition (he did, however, credit the Times for their scoop).